Surrounded by calligraphy and painting in her childhood, later stepping onto the screen as an actress and delivering words as an announcer—
Art has always been a quiet companion in the life of Tsuyumi Miwa.
Japan, Italy, Australia, and now Singapore, where she is currently based.
Having lived among diverse cultures, she has once again picked up her brush as an artist. Through light and color, she depicts scenes where personal memories intersect with the collective memories of Singapore, a land shaped by many cultures and ethnicities.
In this ongoing “Story of Art” series for Voyage, we turn our attention to her recent body of work, the “Singapore Cultural Series,” which honors the countless “everyday heroes” who sustain the city’s multicultural identity.
Let us trace her artistic journey and the thoughts woven into each of her works.
【Story of Art.14】Raffles Doorman – A Tribute to Heritage and Hope
@ Raffles Hotel Singapore
“A doorman is more than just a uniformed figure at the entrance
—he is a quiet constant, standing with grace where stories arrive and depart.”
Among Singapore’s most iconic landmarks, the legendary Raffles Hotel Singapore has long stood as a symbol of elegance and heritage.
Greeting guests at its entrance are the hotel’s Sikh doormen, instantly recognizable in their white and cream-colored uniforms and distinctive turbans. More than members of the hotel staff, they embody the traditions, dignity, and spirit of hospitality that have defined both Raffles Hotel and Singapore for generations.
The subject of this artwork is Vikram, originally from India, who has served as a doorman at Raffles Hotel for about two years. His calm smile and optimistic outlook represent a new generation carrying forward a long-standing tradition.
Yet this painting is about more than one individual.
Behind Vikram stands the legacy of countless doormen who have welcomed visitors through the same entrance over the decades. Their quiet professionalism, pride, and unwavering sense of responsibility have become part of the identity of Raffles Hotel itself.
The scene is set just after the rain has passed. Sunlight breaks through the clouds, reflecting softly on the rain-soaked tiles and filling the entrance with a gentle glow. The moment symbolizes renewal, growth, and the promise of new beginnings.
Throughout our lives, there are moments when we inherit new responsibilities and become part of something greater than ourselves. Vikram, standing at the gateway to this historic institution, reflects that hopeful transition.
In 2025, Singapore celebrated the 60th anniversary of its independence.
The artwork includes the nation’s national flower, the Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, while the Singapore flag flies quietly above the roof of Raffles Hotel. Together, these elements pay tribute to the country’s history while expressing hope for its future.
Although Singapore has achieved remarkable growth in a relatively short period of time, its true foundation lies in the traditions, values, and cultural heritage passed from one generation to the next.
The doormen of Raffles Hotel quietly remind us of that enduring legacy.
This artwork is currently on display at the Raffles Boutique inside Raffles Hotel. If you have the chance to visit Raffles Hotel, be sure to stop by and see it in person.
The Conclusion of the Singapore Cultural Series
With this article, we conclude the 14-part Singapore Cultural Series.
Throughout the series, artist Miwa has portrayed hawkers, craftsmen, religious figures, and guardians of traditional culture—people who may not always appear in travel guidebooks, yet who quietly sustain the cultural identity of Singapore through their everyday lives.
Behind the city’s modern skyline lies a rich tapestry of diverse communities, traditions, and personal stories. This series has been an invitation to look beyond the landmarks and listen to those quieter narratives.
The memories preserved through craftsmanship, faith, and daily life do not belong only to the past. They continue to live on through the people who carry them forward, shaping the future while honoring the generations before them.
In the next chapter of Story of Art, we will continue exploring new cultures and the people who bring them to life through another collection of inspiring artworks.
We hope you will join us for the journey ahead.
